Comb brush producing and comb cleaning apparatus



Jan. 31, 1m F. D. HOGG' J W COMB BRUSH PRODUCING AND COMB CLEANING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR.

31% 4x4 BY Jam. 31, W39. F. D. HOGG COMB BRUSH PRODUCING AND COMB CLEANING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BYWW ATTORNEY 5.

INVENTOR. v

Patented Jan. 31, 1939 PATENT OFFICE COMB BRUSH PRODUCING AND COMB CLEANING APPARATUS Frederick Dickson Hogg, London, England Application January 16, 1937, Serial No. 120,872.

Renewed July 22, 1938. In Great Britain January 23, 1936 9- Claims.

This invention relates to combs and has for its object an apparatus for producing a combination brush comb as well as acting as a comb cleaner.

The special value of this invention is that it enables a clean hygienic and in effect fresh comb or combined comb and cleaning medium, to be provided each time the same is used at practically no cost beyond the original cost of the apparatus and cleaning material.

According to this invention, the comb is thrust through a strip of material composed of cotton fibre, paper or other suitable material prepared for the purpose preferably sized and rendered hygienic, and which may be moistened with water or some hygienic fluid so that, in the first place, the cleaning strip being so thrust on to the prongs of the comb, cleans the prongs, and in the second place, the comb and strip can be used together as a comb-brush (either by leaving the original cleaning strip on the prongs or by replacing it by a fresh strip or strips), the comb for combing the hair and the cleaning strip as a hygienic pad or brush for simultaneously cleaning the hair and scalp. To facilitate the placing of the cleaning strip on the comb, there is provided a frame supporting a grid with transverse rungs spaced so as to accommodate the prongs of the comb between the rungs. The cleaning strip is laid along and over the grid and held in place either by hand or any suitable clasp, bracket or other device. The prongs of the comb are then pressed through the cleaning strip into the spaces between the rungs of thegrid. This action forces the cleaning strip up the sides of each prong of the comb and thus cleans the prongs. The cleaning strip after use, or if and when desired, may be removed by its being pulled or torn out from the prongs, either towards the front or back of the comb, and as it is removed, it carries with it any hairs or dirt which may have accumulated between the teeth, thus constituting a further cleaning operation, and the strip can then be destroyed,

The grid can be constructed of metal or any other suitable material, substance or compound. It may be made removable from the frame which supports it for cleaning or other purposes. Also a unit may be removably attached to the frame comprising a spool or reel to hold a roll of the cleaning strip which may be fed to the grid direct or may be drawn over a roller, rotating in a bath of fluid, and thus moistened before passing over the grid.

With regard to the form of the grid and supporting frame, there are one or two special problems which are solved by the improvements hereinafter mentioned. First, it is a very difficult proposition to insert all the prongs of a comb into the spaces between the rungs simultaneously by a mere jab or thrust. It is possible, but the cleaner strip must be so flimsy as to be inadequate for the work for which it is intended. The prongs require to be inserted successively so that the whole of the pressure of inserting is concentrated practically upon one or two prongs at a time. This may be effected by starting from one end of the grid (or in one form of my apparatus from the middle of the grid) by first inserting the two end (or nnddle as the case may be) prongs of the comb a short distance into the grid and then using these somewhat as a pivot, the rest of the prongs follow into their respective grooves one after another by a rotary movement of the comb. With this mode of operation a cleaner strip can be used substantial enough to scour effectively each and every prong during the operation.

To facilitate this operation, the grid element is constructed on an upward slant. Holding the comb in a horizontal position, the two prongs at one end are inserted in two grooves at the top end of the inclined grid, and as the comb descends the rest of the prongs will enter their respective grooves, one after another as desired.

The grid element may also be provided with a spring attached to the frame, so as to allow a certain give and rebound of the grid relatively to the frame to facilitate the insertion of the comb. This form of apparatus is intended preferably for shorter combs with uniformly spaced prongs. For double combs the grid is preferably made in the form of two inclined plane sections having their common apex in the middle of the grid.

At the apex the two grids are brought together and swiveled upon an axle whichconnects up the two grids. This connection is made through eyelets that form part of the top extremities of each of the grids and are so constructed as to overlap, the resulting aperture forming the hub for the axle. The axle, is in effect, the top rung of the swivel grid and the spacing is made to coincide with the other rungs by the structure of the grid itself. Attachment of the grids to the frame is made through holes near each lower extremity of the grids, and through corresponding slots in the frame, through which is passed a removable bolt and nut. The slots in the frame permit of the grids extending at their base and so being brought to a horizontal position when pressure is applied from the apex downwards. The inclined plane of the grid sections, before 55 mentioned is brought about in the following manner. The ends of the two grids are, at the point of contact, slightly cut away from the vertical as from top to bottom; a detachable spring is affixed between the two sections at convenient points, which brings the ends of each compactly together all the way up, the degree of slope, therefore, where the two ends meet being the factor governing the angle of the inclined plane which is the most suitable for easy perforation by the comb prongs.

The operation is as follows: The cleaner strip is first placed along and over the grids. Holding the comb in horizontal position, contact is made through the cleaner strip between the two middle (or approximately so) teeth of the comb and the axle on which the grids work. On steady pressure of the comb downwards, the prongs will enter successively on each side of the apex formed by the grids. The relative position of the comb prongs and rung spaces will remain practically the same when pressure is exerted on the comb. What happens is that the bases of the grids open out and slide along the slots in the frame whilst the apex or pivotal point of the: grids, which are connected together by the axle, descends. The spring afiixed between the two grids allows them a certain give and rebound relatively to the frame, and a slight see-saw motion of the comb may facilitate the insertion of the prongs. Any suitable form of device which will serve the same purpose may be employed in place of springs.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a comb cleaner embodying the invention and designed for use with single combs;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views of a modified form of cleaner adapted for use with double combs;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a view of a combination comb and brush embodying the invention.

In Figs, 1 and 4, A is a frame on which a grid B is pivotally mounted through the medium of a swivel C and is maintained in the slanting position shown by the spring D. A supply reel E for the cleaning strip F is suitably mounted on the frame A and the strip F passes over a moistening roller provided in the bath G. A single comb H is shown in position for insertion into the grid with the entering teeth I and I in register with one cross bar of the grid B. In Figs. 2, 3 and 5, two grid members B have their ends pivotally interconnected by the swivel C and have their other ends supported by the frame A through the intermediary of pins KK fitting through slots IL in the grid members. A spring D tends to maintain the grid members in the position shown in Fig, 2 and the double comb H is provided with the entering teeth II while the frame is provided with an indicator M to facilitate proper positioning of the comb. In Fig. 3, the comb is shown as being fully inserted in the grids which are moved to place them substantially in horizontal alinement. Also, in these figures, there is disclosed the supply reel E for the strip of cleaning material F and moistening means G are provided as previously described.

In Fig. 6, the comb H is shown as provided with a strip F forced on over the comb teeth. This arrangement provides a combination comb and brush as the material F will act in the same manner as the bristles of the brush when the comb is suitably turned and the teeth of the comb will be available for the customary use of a comb.

Marks or one or two small brackets may be provided at the side of the grid or frame at the point where the first two prongs have to be inserted, to act as a guide to position the prongs relatively to the grid spaces. Such side brackets or marks are desirable having regard to the fact that the cleaning strip covers the rungs of the grid. The two prongs to be first inserted may be suitably marked, and if desired strengthened, to facilitate their insertion. In lieu of flat grids (whether horizontal or inclined) the grid may be constructed in convex form. Within the same frame may be provided any number of parallel grids with sub-frames as required, containing differently spaced rungs to fit the various standard sized combs. The grids are, as stated, removable and may be interchangeable; there may be operated in the same frame two grids of uniform spacing to accommodate similarly spaced combs (rakes) or two grids of different spacings to accommodate combs with fine and coarse tooth sections (dressing combs). As at present used, the prongs of combs range for coarse combs from 6 to 9 teeth to the inch and for fine combs 20 to 25 teeth to the inch. In addition to private use, this invention will be useful to hair dressers, public sanatoria, hotels, dressing rooms, institutions, schools and the like.

With regard to the cleaning strip, this must be of a texture sufficiently durable and rough to perform the function of cleaning the comb and/or hair and scalp and at the same time must be sufficiently permeable to be perforated by the prongs of the comb and sufiiciently severable to enable the strip to be removed by being torn from the prongs through the interstices between them towards the back of the comb, and so as to exert a scouring action and thereby also remove any dirt there may be between the prongs. The cleaning strip may be composed of suitably stout and rough paper or cotton or other fibre, which may be sized and rendered hygienic in any manner which will not interfere with its scouring quality.

I claim:

1. A comb brush producing and cleaning apparatus comprising a pivoted grid adapted to support a strip of cleaning material and a spring tending to hold said grid in one position of inclination.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 having a supply reel for the cleaning material to be supported by said grid.

3. A comb brush producing and cleaning apparatus comprising two grid members having pivotally connected ends, means slidably supporting the free ends of said grid members and spring means tending to maintain said grid members with their connected ends at a higher elevation than the remaining ends.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the free ends have slots through which pins extend for slidably supporting the same.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 having a supply reel for the cleaning material to be supported by said grid.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 having an indicator for facilitating the arrangement of a comb on said cleaner.

'7. A comb brush producing and cleaning apparatus comprising a grid adapted to support a strip of cleaning material in position to be engaged by the teeth of a comb, and means for supporting said grid in slanting position with the transverse members of said grid horizontal.

8. A comb brush producing and cleaning apparatus comprising a frame having a base, and a grid supported by said frame in slanting relation to said base with the transverse members of the grid parallel to said base.

9. A comb brush producing and cleaning apparatus comprising a frame having a base, a grid pivotaily supported by said frame, and resilient means normally maintaining said grid in slanting position to said base with the transverse members of the grid parallel to said base.

FREDERICK DICKSON HOGG. 

